I have been sharing Small Business tips on my store Pretty Paper Studio's social media and thought I should put them out here as well.

1. CREATE YOUR OWN WEBSITE

For many of us creatives, Instagram is our happy place when it comes to social media. Not only do we find prospective customers, we get to meet other makers as well. I have made several real friends thanks to Instagram! That said, we can never depend on ONE platform forever. Remember how Myspace and Orkut used to be really popular? Then Facebook happened. Many of us love Snapchat but then Instagram Stories happened. There's something new coming every other day/week. Just when we get too comfortable playing around with one medium, a new one pops up. However, what will remain constant is our website (web store) - basically a home for all our products, listed with description, price, and availability. This is what we call 'risk management' or not putting all eggs in one basket. Do you have a website? If yes, please leave the link below for me and others to check. Your store id on @etsy / @littlemajlis / @ideyna or similar platforms is welcome too!

2. WE CANNOT DO IT ALL

"You are everywhere now, your store seems to be doing really well, suddenly you are so serious about your store!" I have been hearing a lot of these comments from friends and strangers lately. The truth is, I have always been serious about my store. Anyone who invests all of their savings and long hours + nights in their business would be, right?

The reason why @ppsuae seem to be really active and engaged these days is because I decided not to just work harder but also "smarter". Since I started @ppsuae I have been doing everything myself - uploading new products to the website, packing and dispatching orders, stock keeping, accounting, filing, paperwork, social media management etc. Apart from these, I was also taking care of my children full time. These tasks may seem small individually BUT it took a toll on me both physically and mentally when I had to do them day in and day out.

So, when I was pregnant with my youngest and about to pop (last April), I decided to start taking extra help, both at home and work. I would be lying if I said I never had any help with @ppsuae before, I did. This time, though, it was going to be more consistent.

From my experience, we tend to worry about two things when it comes to outsourcing work:

1. Would the person do it the way I do it?

2. Would I be able to pay a monthly/weekly salary? To answer the 1st question, yes, there are many skilled people out there who would be able to do the task the way you want to or even better! Finding the right talent takes time and patience. And as to the second, it's scary, yes. BUT, when you have help, your productivity is going to increase a lot which will thereby increase your income, in sha Allah! (Before you go hire someone because Neelu asked you to, do take a hard look at your numbers. 😁) Here's your homework for tonight. Look at both your personal + work schedules and make a list of all those tasks that you can outsource/delegate. If you are willing, do share them with us here.

3. COLLABORATE

When I say Collaborate, I do not mean to say 'work for free'. That's a whole different topic which I will address in the future. By collaboration, I mean joining forces with someone else by sharing both parties' talents and expertise. It is a great way for us small businesses to recognize our strengths, weaknesses, and reach a new audience - sort of cross-pollination. And what do they say about us women joining forces?

Have you ever collaborated with anyone? What was your experience like? Our For Me DIY Kit is a really good example of one. 💕 #ppsuaeforme

4. REMEMBER YOUR CUSTOMERS' NAMESHave you had a situation where you meet somebody after a really long time and that person remembers you by your name? You must have felt really special, right? Whenever I get a call from anyone inquiring about a product we have in store, I ask their name and save it along with a word that would remind me of their inquiry. For example, let's say a Ms Zara calls me asking about die-cuts. I would save her number in my contacts as Zara Die Cuts. This way, if and when she calls me again, I would answer her call saying, 'Hi Zara, how are you?' or something similar. It is a very tiny detail but I have noticed that customers like it when I remember their name or our previous conversations.

As an online store owner, I don't get to meet my customers as often as I would like, so I try to offer personalized services in whatever way I can. Remember, just as we have invested our time and energy in our business, our customers are investing their valuable time and money in our products and/or services. Without them, our business won't thrive. Of course, we are all humans and we make mistakes. An apology goes a long way in such cases.

5. IF YOU GET TIRED LEARN TO REST, NOT TO QUIT - BANKSY

Okay, this is more of an announcement than a small business tip. For the past few months, the @ppsuaefamily has been working round the clock and it is time to take a short break.

6. EXPOSURE WON'T PAY BILLS

So much have been said and written about working for exposure and how we, small business owners (or bloggers), shouldn't do it. It's very tempting to work for free when we are starting out and trying to build a portfolio. But think about how much it is really going to help us. If not cold cash, can the company (who wants us to work for free) offer us something in return, sort of a barter system? I personally feel starting out on a limited time discounted rate is better than working for zero fils. And by working for free, we are not only undermining our skills and potential, we are also hampering the chances of fellow small business owners making a living.

7. DO NOT TAKE IT PERSONALLY

I recently emailed a company a proposal to work together. Unfortunately, they declined my offer. I was OK with their rejection but what bothered me was in their reply they had written 'we work only with successful businesses'. That sentence played in my head for quite a few hours and I wondered how successful should a business be to be considered successful. You know what I mean?

Then I told myself to chuck it! And not spend so much of my time and energy pondering on an email. I asked them whether they could work with me. They said no. Simple. Not everyone is going to agree with our ideas or opinions or methods. We all have different ways to look at things and it's just difference in opinion. So I shouldn't take things personally and continue searching for others who might be interested in working with me. Case closed.

These days I pray a lot for Sabr (patience). Sabr when I feel the whole world is going downhill. Sabr when not seeing positive results after working on something for a really long time. Sabr when caring for little humans at home. Sabr when dealing with big humans who act like little humans online. *roll eyes* --- Grateful for all you lovelies who have participated in #njramadanjournal this year. You guys are ze best! It was heartwarming to see all of you comment on each others' posts and keep this community going. Grateful for sending many new Instagram friends my way as well. JazakAllah Khair!

Day 29 - CalmCompared to Eid last year (with a newborn, two kids and all the related chaos), I am very calm this time. Alhamdulillah.

I wanted to cook something really comforting for what could be our last Iftar this Ramadan. Dates and watermelon, an overdose of chicken in the form chicken fry (grilled actually), a cross between chicken ishtu and pepper chicken for curry, a simple salad, and pathiri that will be soaked in coconut milk just before the call of Magrib prayers. And of course, chai to end it all with, not pictured.

Like every year, my heart feels heavy as we approach Eid. I feel like I didn't do enough or I could have done better. In sha Allah, I will try to continue with the good habits I started this Ramadan and strive better in the next.

On a sidenote: as important as traditions are, there are Moms and Wives slaving in the kitchen on Eid when they could be getting a much-needed rest after thirty days of fasting in this gruesome heat. Let us remember these hard working women and make their lives a tad easier by helping in whatever way we can.

I am so stoked to have the very talented Kuslum Kunwa as a guest on my latest episode of Spark On With Neelu podcast! She's an acclaimed food and lifestyle photographer based in Kuwait. I have been following her work since she started her blog journeykitchen.com and has seen her grow leaps and bounds. We chat about food photography, of course, how she manages her freelance business with two children, the must have tool(s) in a budding food photographer's kit etc. I know I say this about every episode, but it's true, you shouldn't miss out on this one!

You can download this episode to listen again later, subscribe to my channel to not miss out on future episodes, and you can reach me via sayhi at neelusjournal dot com as well. Alright then, speak soon! Wassalam!

Five is my number. I repeat an instruction to my children five times. The sixth time, my 'mom voice' is out. And they scatter like scared mice. It's irritating and hilarious at the same time. What's your number?

If you have been following my Instagram Stories here or on Pretty Paper Studio @ppsuae, you would know that I spent my Saturday morning doing one of the things I love, teach, about one of my favourite social apps.

Day 24 - OutfitWe went Eid shopping last night and were able to find a gorgeous dress for our six-year-old from @monsoon at a really good price. Shopping for five is quite time intensive especially when you have a super involved and picky, wait for it, husband. We are absolute opposites when it comes to shopping! What are your favourite stores to shop for Eid?

About Me

Hello! My name is Nielouphar Abdurahiman (Neelu). Welcome to my nook on the interweb where I share my journey as a Mother of Three and a Small Business Owner. Take a look around, read some of my posts, leave a comment or get in touch via the Contact Form below.